The recent spate of dog attacks on livestock has been horrendous. For local farmers it's heartbreaking but it need never happen.
Dogs don't simply wake up one morning and decide to attack sheep. It starts with 'playing nicely' with other dogs. If you watch closely you will see that 'play' grow increasingly boisterous.
The next stage is neck-biting and rolling other dogs onto their back (the most vulnerable position). It looks like a big game but it isn't. Dogs behaving in this way are developing hunting skills. It's all part of the Aggression Ladder.
They quickly learn to chase their prey (dogs/cats/squirrels/rabbits) in order to practice these skills. All that's needed now are a few rough games like tug o' war to teach them to bite and and hey-presto you have a dangerous dog.
Owners don't intend to create a predatory dog they just allow it to happen. Leaving a dog to strut around the back garden unattended is often where they gain their first chasing experience. How many dogs do you see chasing seagulls on the beach? Owners think it's fun but chasing is chasing and once dogs develop the habit it's very difficult to break.
So we now have a dog that knows how to chase prey and has the aggression skills to attack. All that's left is to excuse his aggressive behaviour as 'wanting to play' and we have a catastrophe waiting to happen.
One day instead of chasing other dogs (who can fight back) he'll try livestock and discover they can't. Suddenly we have a grotesquely mutilated sheep and no idea how it happened.
Don't let this happen to you and your dog. It can all be avoided with training and constructive play (which should ALWAYS include you). If you spot the signs i.e. lunging at other dogs, chasing, neck biting act right away don't allow it to develop further.
The photo of the dog you see above is Barney. Six months ago he was one of the most dangerous aggressive dogs I'd ever seen: A predator and dangerous fear biter.
His adoptive owners Malcolm and Julie brought him to me for assessment. Between us we developed a rehabilitation plan. It took a lot of time, commitment and effort before we saw the result.
Today Barney is one of our most accomplished pupils winning the annual trophy for Most Improved Dog.
Malcolm and Julie now have a great lifetime companion.
For more help go to vicbarlow.com, email [email protected], or text me on 07590 560012.
